Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States, Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi of Japan, and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun of the Republic of Korea met in New York City on September 22 to discuss ongoing cooperation among their countries. The meeting focused on advancing safety, security, and prosperity for their nations and the Indo-Pacific region while upholding shared principles such as the rule of law.
During the meeting, the United States reaffirmed its defense commitments to Japan and South Korea, including extended deterrence backed by its military capabilities. The three officials emphasized strengthening trilateral security cooperation through initiatives like the multi-domain exercise “Freedom Edge” and improving their respective defense capabilities.
The ministers also discussed increased collaboration among coast guards and efforts to support ASEAN member states with capacity building in maritime incident response. They reiterated opposition to unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea and expressed concern about destabilizing actions in Indo-Pacific waters. Their joint statement noted a commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region under international law, including freedom of navigation as outlined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Regarding Taiwan, they highlighted the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait and voiced concerns over destabilizing actions near Taiwan. They encouraged peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues and supported Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations.
The group also underscored support for ASEAN centrality and unity as well as recognition of strategic interests in regions like the Arctic.
On global security issues, they called for progress toward a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine.
Addressing North Korea’s nuclear threat was a key topic. The statement reaffirmed commitment to complete denuclearization according to UN Security Council resolutions. The ministers stressed maintaining sanctions against North Korea in response to violations, particularly concerning military cooperation between Russia and North Korea related to missile development. They urged both countries to cease such activities immediately.
Concerns were raised about malicious cyber activities linked to North Korean actors. The officials welcomed coordinated action against these threats, highlighting recent joint statements on IT workers from North Korea and continued work through their Trilateral Diplomatic Working Group on Cyber Threats.
They also committed to resolving humanitarian issues such as abductees, detainees, unrepatriated prisoners of war, and separated families.
In economic matters, discussions covered supply chain resilience; digital infrastructure; emerging technologies like artificial intelligence; quantum technology; biotechnology; energy security—including liquid natural gas—and diversification of critical mineral supply chains. They agreed on further dialogue regarding economic security challenges facing Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa through collaboration under an Early Warning System for supply chains.
Joint efforts will continue in developing advanced civil nuclear reactors with high standards for safety and nonproliferation. Other areas mentioned include research collaboration among national laboratories from all three countries.
The Young Trilateral Leaders program was cited as contributing to stronger ties among young people from each country. Officials restated opposition to economic coercion or export restrictions that could disrupt supply chains. Support was expressed for South Korea’s role hosting APEC 2025 with hopes for meaningful outcomes at this year’s APEC Economic Leader’s Week.
Finally, they welcomed progress made by their Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat responsible for aligning objectives across all levels of meetings going forward.
"The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Japan, and the Republic of Korea."
"Secretary of State of the United States of America Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister of Japan Iwaya Takeshi, and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Cho Hyun met on September 22 in New York City to continue their joint efforts to advance the safety, security, and prosperity of our three countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region, while upholding shared principles including the rule of law."
"The United States reiterated its ironclad commitments to the defense of Japan and the ROK, backed by America’s unmatched military strength, including its nuclear capabilities."
"The United States reaffirmed its extended deterrence commitments to Japan and the ROK which are critically important to ... stability..."
"The Secretary and Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their resolve ...by advancing robust security cooperation...and...strengthen their respective defense capabilities."
"They welcomed trilateral coast guard cooperation...to enhance maritime incident response between ...the three countries..."
"They committed ...to address...challenges in ...the maritime domain..."
"The Secretary & Foreign Ministers strongly opposed unlawful maritime claims in SCS [South China Sea]..."
"They opposed any attempts...to change status quo...in waters ...including SCS."
"They emphasized...maintaining a free & open Indo-Pacific & upholding international law as reflected in UNCLOS [UN Convention Law Sea]..."
"They emphasized ...peace & stability across Taiwan Strait & expressed concern about increasingly frequent destabilizing actions around Taiwan..."
"...encouraged peaceful resolution ...opposed any attempts...to unilaterally change status quo...[supported] Taiwan's meaningful participation...."
"They reaffirmed unwavering support for ASEAN centrality & unity...."
"Recognized strategic importance Arctic region..."
"...encouraged Russia/Ukraine progress towards durable negotiated settlement."
"...reaffirmed resolute commitment complete denuclearization DPRK...per UNSCRs [UN Security Council Resolutions]..."
"...emphasized need address together DPRK's nuclear/missile programs....maintain/strengthen sanctions regime...."
"Expressed serious concerns over DPRK's increasing military cooperation with Russia..."
"...urged Russia/North Korea immediately cease all such activities abide by UN Charter/all relevant UNSCRs."
"Expressed serious concern malicious cyber activities by North Korean cyber actors/IT workers....welcomed coordinated actions ....emphasized need deepen collaboration public/private sector....recent Joint Statement on North Korean IT Workers....importance continued efforts Trilateral Diplomatic Working Group on NK Cyber Threats."
"Reaffirmed importance close policy coordination NKorea between three countries....committed strengthen trilateral consultations NKorea all levels."
"...reiterated commitment immediate resolution issues abductees/detainees/unrepatriated POWs/separated families."
"Committed advance trilateral cooperation supply chain resilience/digital infrastructure/artificial intelligence/quantum/biotechnology/emerging technologies."
"...asserted importance strengthening energy security underpinned America's LNG/other energy sources/technologies.....diversifying critical mineral/vital supply chains/enhance trilateral dialogue critical minerals/work together various regions SE Asia/Sub-Saharan Africa/promoting active collaboration under trilateral Early Warning System.....continuing dialogue economic security.....accelerate joint efforts develop/deploy advanced civil nuclear reactors highest standards safety/security/nonproliferation."
"Welcomed advancement tangible cooperation developing/protecting critical/emerging technologies incl Trilateral Workshops Quantum Industrial Security Sept/second Trilateral Technology Leaders Training Program June/support maintain research collaboration nat'l laboratories three countries."
"Welcomed Young Trilateral Leaders program contributor strengthened people-to-people ties/enhanced trilateral cooperation....standing firmly against economic coercion/non-market policies/practices incl export restrictions lead significant supply chain disruptions/reaffirmed commitment free/fair global economic order....support ROK's successful APEC 2025 host year/support meaningful outcomes at APEC Economic Leader's Week later this fall."
"Welcomed active role Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat responsible aligning action-oriented objectives/coordinating implementing tangible efforts....committed continue trilateral meetings all levels."